Mexican made Crate Motors?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The reason they are made in Mexico is the strick polution laws in the States. Its cost prohibitive to build a foundry here.
I have used & sold hundreds of Goodwrench engines through the years & have never had a problem with them.
I agree its neat to build one up yourself but if you bore it & turn the crank you can't do it for what a basic Goodwrench costs.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

The reason they are made in Mexico is the strick polution laws in the States. Its cost prohibitive to build a foundry here.
I have used & sold hundreds of Goodwrench engines through the years & have never had a problem with them.
I agree its neat to build one up yourself but if you bore it & turn the crank you can't do it for what a basic Goodwrench costs.

I can have all the machine work done (bore/hone, install cam bearings/freeze plugs, turn the crank, and have a valve job done for around $600. You can buy a Northern engine kit for $180 have build a engine comparable to the basic crate engines for around $800 - $850. You can step up, and buy a Summit engine kit with hypereutectic pistons, Fel Pro gaskets, brass freeze plugs, high volume oil pump, etc. for $250, and get the cam I want and everything else for around a $1000 total, and have a much better engine than the basic GM crate engines. I have built dozens of them, and have made pretty decent money doing them.

The GM crate engines are great drop in option, and there's nothing wrong with them, but since have the tools, mics, gauges and knowledge to build engines, they aren't the best engine I can get for my money.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I can have all the machine work done (bore/hone, install cam bearings/freeze plugs, turn the crank, and have a valve job done for around $600. You can buy a Northern engine kit for $180 have build a engine comparable to the basic crate engines for around $800 - $850. You can step up, and buy a Summit engine kit with hypereutectic pistons, Fel Pro gaskets, brass freeze plugs, high volume oil pump, etc. for $250, and get the cam I want and everything else for around a $1000 total, and have a much better engine than the basic GM crate engines. I have built dozens of them, and have made pretty decent money doing them.

The GM crate engines are great drop in option, and there's nothing wrong with them, but since have the tools, mics, gauges and knowledge to build engines, they aren't the best engine I can get for my money.

The last time I did a simple ring valve job I wound up with $750 in it. If we could get those prices around here I would build my own also.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

The last time I did a simple ring valve job I wound up with $750 in it. If we could get those prices around here I would build my own also.

WOW! That's crazy! About a month and a half ago I had a 327 block bored .030", honed, cam bearings and freeze plugs installed for $260. They charge$120 to turn a crank and he gets $150 for a valve job w/ seals, unless it needs guides, valves, etc. I have been using the same place for nearly 20 years and they do great. I worked as a machinist (not a motor machinist) for over and I check everything after I get it home, and nothing has ever been wrong. The only mistake I've ever had them make was they pushed one of the alignment dowel pins down flush with the deck of the block, and I had to drill and tap it and use a snatch hammer to get it out. I mentioned the next time I took him a block and he tried to knock some money off doing the next one and i told him not to worry about it. It was a simple mistake, and no big deal.

[propanemudtruck]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I can have all the machine work done (bore/hone, install cam bearings/freeze plugs, turn the crank, and have a valve job done for around $600. You can buy a Northern engine kit for $180 have build a engine comparable to the basic crate engines for around $800 - $850. You can step up, and buy a Summit engine kit with hypereutectic pistons, Fel Pro gaskets, brass freeze plugs, high volume oil pump, etc. for $250, and get the cam I want and everything else for around a $1000 total, and have a much better engine than the basic GM crate engines. I have built dozens of them, and have made pretty decent money doing them.

The GM crate engines are great drop in option, and there's nothing wrong with them, but since have the tools, mics, gauges and knowledge to build engines, they aren't the best engine I can get for my money.

Comparable prices here. I've built 4-5 engines in the last 10-12 years and have been very satisfied in the outcomes. I've done a couple water cooled vw engines and a few small blocks, so I guess my count is low but I always suggest local machinework and a mic. job to check for accuracy! I was a machinist for a while too, so all the tools are in the box. Northern Auto is a great kit and they have a pretty sweet cam kit from Elgin that I've used.

If often considered the crate engines for ease and time savings but don't have any real experience with those.

Good luck with your decision!

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I can have all the machine work done (bore/hone, install cam bearings/freeze plugs, turn the crank, and have a valve job done for around $600. You can buy a Northern engine kit for $180 have build a engine comparable to the basic crate engines for around $800 - $850. You can step up, and buy a Summit engine kit with hypereutectic pistons, Fel Pro gaskets, brass freeze plugs, high volume oil pump, etc. for $250, and get the cam I want and everything else for around a $1000 total, and have a much better engine than the basic GM crate engines. I have built dozens of them, and have made pretty decent money doing them.

The GM crate engines are great drop in option, and there's nothing wrong with them, but since have the tools, mics, gauges and knowledge to build engines, they aren't the best engine I can get for my money.

i agree, i haven't used a crate motor ever because of the price me and dad have built several sbc. All under a grand easy. All still running we have a great local machine shop with a 2nd and 3rd generation "sons" running it.